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Restaurant workers grapple with new safety guidelines

From separating tables to disinfecting everything that is touched, restaurants are finding their stride after being closed for months.

Author: Heather Hope (Reporter)

Published: 6:10 PM PDT May 23, 2020

Updated: 6:10 PM PDT May 23, 2020

SAN DIEGO — It's the first full weekend that restaurants and bars are open for business during the coronavirus pandemic, but due to overcrowding, the county closed down one bar in Pacific Beach already. So how are other establishments dealing with the new safety guidelines?

Waitress Courtney Rangel of Pueblo in Pacific Beach said the reopening of restaurants was a success for her establishment.

"If you are going to dine in it's just a different experience now, it doesn't look the way it did before," Rangel said. "I was really happy that at Pueblo, it went really well, and we didn't have the overcrowding issue going on."

Pueblo did not have the massive crowds with no social distancing as seen in PB nights before, where video of El Prez bar caught county leaders’ attention and the business was shut down for the health order violations.

“It’s discouraging to hear that, but I do think there are places you can go where it's a safe experience,” Rangel said.

Making sure every table is properly disinfected and 6 feet apart has been a priority for Michael Pasulka, owner of Players Sports Grill in Poway.